Activities for Kids

6 NYC Playgrounds Where Climbers Can Reach New Heights

At these cool playgrounds kids can scale walls, nets and even a pyramid putting traditional jungle gyms to shame.

By rtstephaniepedersen September 10, 2014

You know those days when your kids are climbing the walls? Maybe even literally, climbing the sofas, the beds, and anything else they can scale in your apartment? Head out to one of these NYC playgrounds where you’ll find nets, pyramids, walls and more to climb that’ll put traditional jungle gyms to shame.

Photo courtesy of Heckscher Foundation

Heckscher Playground in Central Park

If you’ve got avid climbers, you probably already know about Heckscher Playground, the oldest playground in Central Park, created in 1927. It’s the largest, too, at 1.8 acres. Not that any of that matters. The real reason your kids love this playground so much is that enormous rock, known as Umpire Rock, that abuts the maze of cement climbing structures. It can be accessed by a small staircase leading up from the playground. More advanced climbers can skip the steps and scale the base. Just be aware: This rock is gigantic enough that you can (and probably will) lose sight of your kids. Have a talk with them before they go up about just how far they can go.

Location: Mid-Park from East or West 61st to 63rd St., Midtown

Transport: The 6 train to Lexignton Ave./59 St. ; N, Q, or R train to 5 Ave./59 St.; or the A, B, C, D or 1 train to Columbus Circle

Looking for more of NYC’s best playgrounds? Check out Red Tricycle’s post on Manhattan’s Top 10 Coolest Playgrounds and 5 Playgrounds Perfectly Sized for Toddlers.

Where does your little climber like to burn off energy? Tell us in a Comment.

–Stephanie Pedersen